Weapon for preventing locomotion of remote living target by causing repeated rapid involuntary contractions of skeletal muscles

ABSTRACT

A dart weapon prevents locomotion by a human being or other animal by generating pulses with a select profile and by applying the pulses to the human being to cause contractions of skeletal muscles sufficient to prevent the normal voluntary use of the skeletal muscles.

[0001] This invention relates to apparatus and methods for preventingthe locomotion of a human being or animal.

[0002] More particularly, the invention relates to apparatus and methodsfor, with a high degree of certainty, insuring that a police office orother law enforcement agent can prevent an attacker or other violentindividual from reaching and inflicting bodily harm on the policeofficer.

[0003] The use of electricity to disable human beings and other livingtargets is well known. In the middle 1800's, electricity was directedthrough a harpoon to electrocute a whale. Electrocution also came intouse as a method of carrying out a death sentence resulting from thecommission by a prisoner of a serious crime. While various method ofapplying lethal electrical impulses are well documented, a weapon forapplying non-lethal electrical impulses to disable an attacker is alsoknown. The weapon launches a first dart and a second dart. Each dartremains connected to the weapon by an electrically conductive guidewire. The darts strike an individual. Electrical pulses from the weapontravel to the first dart, from the first dart travel through theindividual's body, into the second dart, and return to the weapon viathe electrically conductive wire attached to the second dart. Theelectrical pulses occur at a rate of from two to ten impulses persecond, are each about 20 kilovolts, and each deliver from 0.01 to 0.5joules. U.S. Pat. No. 4,253,132 issued in 1981 describes such a dartweapon. The patent also suggests that pulses in the range of 0.01 to 0.5joules induce involuntary muscular contractions.

[0004] Since about 1981, it has also been know that a certain minorpercentage of individuals struck with a conventional dart weapon are notimmobilized and can “walk through” the electrical pulses and continue anattack despite being struck with darts from the weapon. The ability ofsome individuals to walk through the electrical pulses was thought to bean anomaly and usually was not taken seriously because the weapon waseffective with and stopped most individuals, and because the weapon whenused appeared to “knock down” an individual or animal or appeared tocause the individual or animal to fall. The weapon would also sometimesappear to cause the skin of a human being or animal to twitch.Consequently, it was assumed that the human being or animal was trulyphysically incapacitated.

[0005] I have discovered that an individual can be readily trained towalk through 0.01 to 0.5 joule pulses delivered by a conventional dartweapon. I have been involved in traing over twenty individuals, and ineach case the individual was, by focusing on a goal, able to ignore andovercome any discomfort from the dart weapon and to continue to walk,run, or attack. The individual did not lose his or her locomotion. Inaddition, several cases have been reported where the failure of aconventional dart weapon lead to the death of an individual becausepolice officers had to resort to lethal force when the dart weaponfailed to stop the individual. As a result of these experiences, itappears that conventional dart weapons cause an individual to fall downby activating sensory neurons and by producing in an individual apsychological reaction which strongly suggests to the individual that heor she is being incapacitated. The discovery that an individual canovercome a conventional dart weapon and continue his or her locomotionsuggests possible dire consequences because many police officers inpossession of conventional dart weapons mistakenly assume that they areeffective against most or many individuals.

[0006] Accordingly, it would be highly desirable to provide an improvedapparatus and method which would with a high degree of certainty enablea police officer or other individual to incapacitate an attacker.

[0007] Therefore, it is a principal object of the invention to providean improved apparatus and method for halting the locomotion of a humanbeing or other animal.

[0008] These and other further and more specific objects and advantagesof the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from thefollowing detailed description thereof, take in conjunction with thedrawings, in which:

[0009]FIG. 1 illustrates a dart weapon constructed in accordance withthe principles of the invention;

[0010]FIG. 2 is a block flow diagram of components of the dart weapon ofFIG. 1 illustrating the mode of operation thereof; and,

[0011]FIG. 3 is a block flow diagram illustrating an alternateembodiment of the invention.

[0012] Briefly, in accordance with my invention, I provide an improvedapparatus for preventing locomotion by a living target by causingrepeated involuntary contractions of skeletal muscles of the target. Theapparatus includes a housing; a first conducting unit for transmittingelectrical energy in impulses from the conducting unit to the target; asecond conducting unit for transmitting electrical energy from thetarget to the apparatus; a power supply means for generating energy andincluding a transformer for delivering electrical energy in impulses tothe first conducting unit, and a capacitor for delivering energy inimpulses from the capacitor means to the transformer, the capacitorproducing and delivering to the transformer from 0.75 to ten joules ineach of the impulses from the capacitor; a delivery system forcontacting the target with at least a portion of each of the first andsecond conducting units such that impulses delivered from the firstconducting unit to the target travel through at least a portion of theskeletal muscles to the second conducting unit, and produce contractionsin the portion of the skeletal muscles which prevents the use by thetarget of the portion of the skeletal muscles.

[0013] In another embodiment of the invention, I provide an improvedapparatus for preventing locomotion by a living target by causingrepeated involuntary contractions of skeletal muscles of the target. Theapparatus includes a housing; a first conducting unit for transmittingelectrical energy in impulses from the conducting unit to the target; asecond conducting unit for transmitting electrical energy from thetarget to the apparatus; a power supply means for producing electricalimpulses which, when passing through a 1000 ohm resistor, each have apulse width greater than about ten microseconds and a current in excessof one hundred milliamps; a delivery system for contacting the targetwith at least a portion of each of the first and second conducting unitssuch that impulses delivered from the first conducting unit to thetarget travel through at least a portion of the skeletal muscles to thesecond conducting unit, and produce contractions in the portion of theskeletal muscles which prevents the use by the target of the portion ofthe skeletal muscles.

[0014] In a further embodiment of the invention, I provide an improvedmethod for preventing locomotion by a living target by causing repeatedinvoluntary contractions of skeletal muscles of the target. The methodincludes the step of apparatus. The apparatus includes a housing; afirst conducting unit for, when activated, contacting the target andtransmitting electrical energy in impulses from the conducting unit tothe target; a second conducting unit for, when activated, contacting thetarget and transmitting electrical energy from the target to theapparatus; power supply means for, when activated, generating energy andincluding a transformer for delivering electrical energy in impulses tothe first conducting unit, and a capacitor for delivering energy inimpulses from the capacitor to the transformer, the capacitor producingand delivering to the transformer from 0.75 to ten joules in each of theimpulses from the capacitor; a delivery system for, when activated,contacting said target with at least a portion of each of the first andsecond conducting units such that impulses delivered from the firstconducting unit to the target travels through at least a portion of theskeletal muscles to the second conducting unit, and the impulses producecontractions in the portion of the skeletal muscles which prevents theuse by the target of the portion of the skeletal muscles; and, anactivation system operable to activate the power supply, the firstconducting unit, the second conducting unit, and the delivery system.The method also includes the step of operating the activation system tocontact the target with the first contacting unit and the secondconducting unit, to deliver from the capacitor to the transformer pulseseach containing 0.75 to ten joules, and, to deliver from the transformerto the first conducting unit electrical energy in impulses.

[0015] In still another embodiment of the invention, I provide animproved method for preventing locomotion by a living target by causingrepeated involuntary contractions of skeletal muscles of the target. Themethod includes the step of apparatus. The apparatus includes a housing;a first conducting unit for, when activated, contacting the target andtransmitting electrical energy in impulses from the conducting unit tothe target; a second conducting unit for, when activated, contacting thetarget and transmitting electrical energy from the target to theapparatus; power supply means for, when activated, generating energy andincluding a transformer for delivering electrical energy in impulses tothe first conducting unit, and a capacitor for delivering energy inimpulses from the capacitor to the transformer, the capacitor producingand delivering to the transformer impulses which, when passing through a1000 ohm resistor, have a pulse width greater than about tenmicroseconds and a current in excess of one hundred milliamps; adelivery system for, when activated, contacting said target with atleast a portion of each of the first and second conducting units suchthat impulses delivered from the first conducting unit to the targettravels through at least a portion of the skeletal muscles to the secondconducting unit, and the impulses produce contractions in the portion ofthe skeletal muscles which prevents the use by the target of the portionof the skeletal muscles; and, an activation system operable to activatethe power supply, the first conducting unit, the second conducting unit,and the delivery system. The method also includes the step of operatingthe activation system to contact the target with the first contactingunit and the second conducting unit, to deliver from the capacitor tothe transformer electrical impulses, and, to deliver from thetransformer to the first conducting unit impulses which, when passingthrough a 1000 ohm resistor, have a pulse width greater than about tenmicroseconds and a current in excess of one hundred milliamps.

[0016] In still a further embodiment of the invention, I provideimproved apparatus for preventing locomotion by a living target bycausing repeated involuntary contractions of skeletal muscles of thetarget. The apparatus includes a housing; a first conducting unit fortransmitting electrical energy in impulses from the conducting unit tothe target; a second conducting unit operatively associated with thefirst conducting unit for transmitting electrical energy from the targetto the apparatus; a first transformer for delivering electrical energyin impulses to the first conducting unit; a third conducting unit fortransmitting electrical energy in impulses from the third conductingunit to the target; a fourth conducting unit operatively associated withthe third conducting unit to transmit electrical energy from the targetto the apparatus; a second transformer for delivering electrical energyin impulses to the third conducting unit; a power unit for deliveringelectrical energy to the first and second transformers; and, a switchunit operatively associated with the power unit to deliver electricalenergy to both of the first and second transformers.

[0017] In yet still a further embodiment of my invention, I provideimproved apparatus for preventing locomotion by a living target bycausing repeated involuntary contractions of skeletal muscles of thetarget. The apparatus includes a housing; a first conducting unit totransmit electrical energy in impulses from the conducting unit to thetarget; a second conducting unit for transmitting electrical energy fromthe target to the apparatus; a power supply for generating energy andincluding a transformer for delivering electrical energy in impulses tothe first conducting unit, and a capacitor for delivering energy inimpulses from the capacitor to the transformer; and, memory for storingdata concerning the use of the apparatus.

[0018] In yet still another embodiment of my invention, I provideimproved apparatus for preventing locomotion by a living target bycausing repeated involuntary contractions of skeletal muscles of thetarget. The apparatus includes a housing; a first conducting unit fortransmitting electrical energy in impulses from the conducting unit tothe target; a second conducting unit for transmitting electrical energyfrom the target to the apparatus; at least one light source mounted onthe apparatus for sighting the apparatus on the target; a power supplyfor generating energy and including a transformer for deliveringelectrical energy in impulses to the first conducting unit, including acapacitor for delivering energy in impulses from the capacitor to thetransformer means, and providing power for the light source.

[0019] Turning now to the drawings, which depict the presently preferredembodiments of the invention for purpose of illustrating the inventionand not by way of limitation of the scope of the invention, and in whichlike reference characters refer to corresponding elements throughout theseveral views, FIG. 1 illustrates a dart weapon 30 constructed inaccordance with the principles of the invention and including housing31, trigger 34 mounted in housing 31, microprocessor 32 mounted inhousing 31, safety 33 mounted in housing 31, battery or batteries 35mounted in housing 31, laser sight 36 mounted in housing 31, andcartridge 37 removably mounted in housing 31. Cartridge 37 includes atleast a first electrically conductive dart 18 and a second electricallyconductive dart (not visible). Each dart is connected to cartridge 37 bya elongate electrically conductive wire 16. Wire 16 typically is coiledin cartridge 37 and unwinds and straightens as the dart 18 travelsthrough the air in the direction of arrow A toward a target. The lengthof wire 16 can vary but is typically twenty to thirty feet. Two or morecartridges 37 can be mounted on weapon 30.

[0020] Cartridge 37 also includes a powder charge 25, compressed air, orsome other motive power means for firing each dart 18 through the air inthe direction of arrow A toward a target. The powder charges, compressedair, etc. utilized to fire a dart are well known in the art and will notbe discussed in detail herein. Cartridge 37 is activated and the darts18 are fired by manually sliding safety 33 in a selected direction torelease safety 33 and by then squeezing trigger 34. As will bedescribed, the means for generating the electrical pulses which travelinto wire 16 and dart 18 is also activated by squeezing trigger 34.Releasing safety 33 also activates or turns on the laser sight 36 suchthat at least one laser beam projects outwardly in the direction ofarrow A and impinges on the desired target.

[0021] Microprocessor 32 preferably includes memory and includes asensor attached to trigger 34 or to some other desired portion of thedart weapon to generate for the memory in microprocessor 32 a signaleach time trigger 34 is squeezed and the weapon 30 is fired. Each timetrigger 34 is squeezed and weapon 30 is fired, the memory in themicroprocessor 32 retains a record of the date and time the weapon wasfired.

[0022] In FIG. 2, power 11 is presently provided by a nine volt battery35. Power 11 can be provided by any desired apparatus or means. Switch12 ordinarily is “off”. When switch 12 is turned on, it allows power 11to travel to the primary transformer 13. When trigger 34 is squeezed tofire weapon 30, a signal is generated which is received bymicroprocessor 32. Microprocessor 32 sends a signal to switch 12 to turnswitch 12 on for about seven seconds. Any mechanical or other means canbe utilized in place of microprocessor 32 to operate a switch 12. Switch12 can be mechanical, constructed from semiconductor materials, orconstructed from any other desired materials.

[0023] Transformer 13 receives electricity from nine volt battery 11 andproduces a signal which causes 2,000 volts to be transmitted to andstored in a capacitor 15. Once the capacitor 15 stores 2,000 volts, itis able to discharge an electrical pulse into output transformer 14. Thepulse from capacitor 15 is a 0.80 to 10 joule pulse, and has a pulsewidth of 9 microseconds to 100 microseconds. Two to forty, preferablyabout five to fifteen, pulses per second are produced by capacitor 15. A0.88 uF capacitor is presently preferred, although the size of thecapacitor can vary as desired. The voltage stored by capacitor 15 canvary as desired as long as the capacitor produces a 0.90 joule to 10joules, preferably 1.5 joules to 5.0 joules, pulse.

[0024] Output transformer 14 receives each pulse from capacitor 15 andproduces a fifty thousand volt pulse. The voltage of the pulse fromtransformer 14 can vary as desired as long as each pulse fromtransformer 14 includes from 0.75 to 9 joules, preferably 1.0 to 3.0joules, of energy, has a pulse width in the range of 10 microseconds to100 microseconds, and has a current:

I _(rms) =[I ² _(peak)×Pulsewidth×Rep Rate]^(1/2)

[0025] This current is in the range of 100 mA to 500 mA. The pulsewidths and currents of conventional dart weapons and non-dart electricweapons (commonly referred to as “stun guns”) and of the dart weapon ofthe invention are set forth below in Table I. TABLE I Pulse WidthI_(rms) (microseconds) (mA) Brand 2.07 26.8 TP65kV 3.03 25.7 TP120kV6.17 38.2 Om 120kV 7.13 29.6 Om 150kv 7.52 29.8 Om SB 3.20 64.7 Myotron1.60 29.0 ZForceI 1.69 31.9 ZForceIII 1.81 25.3 ZforceIV 1.00 42.0Jaycor SS 13.00 162.48 Invention

[0026] In the practice of the invention, it is critical to producecontractions of skeletal muscles sufficient to prevent the voluntary useof the muscles encountered during normal locomotion of an individual'sbody. Twitching of the skin does not, as earlier noted, necessarilyindicate that contractions of the skeletal muscle necessary to preventlocomotion are taking place. Producing contractions of smooth muscle isnot sufficient in the practice of the invention. Contractions mustinstead be produced in striated skeletal muscles. Further, thecontractions in the skeletal muscles must be sufficient to preventvoluntary use of the skeletal muscles by individual—i.e., the musclesmust lock up and not be operable. The electrical pulses produced byprior art dart weapons do not prevent the use of the skeletal musclesand do not prevent locomotion of an individual. It is not the object ofthe invention to cause all the skeletal muscles of an individual to lockup, but only some portion of the skeletal muscles. Based on tests todate, the discomfort and loss of locomotion caused when skeletal muscleslock up in response to impulses produced by the apparatus of theinvention is almost always sufficient to halt the locomotion of anindividual. In actual tests, over twenty volunteers were each given thetask of advancing to a target at least five feet away and of simulatingan attack. Each test was repeated using the invention described herein.After being hit with darts from the weapon of the invention, eachvolunteer was immediately immobilized and dropped to the ground. None ofthe volunteers was able to advance toward or reach the target.

[0027] The profile of pulses used in prior art electric weapons isdeficient in several respects. First, the energy produced by the pulsesis in the range of 0.01 to 0.5 joules. This is outside the range of 0.9joule to 10 joules required in each pulse produced in the apparatus ofthe invention. Second, the width of each pulse in prior art apparatus isabout one to seven and a half microseconds. The pulse width in theapparatus of the invention must be nine to one hundred microseconds.Third, the current in each pulse produced by prior art apparatus is inthe range of about twenty to sixty-five milliamps. The current in eachpulse produced in the apparatus of the invention must be in the range ofone hundred to five hundred milliamps. In addition, the pulses must bedelivered to a target to produce actual contractions of skeletal musclessufficient to prevent use of the muscles by the individual subjected tothe pulses.

[0028] If contractions of skeletal muscles are not produced, theapparatus of the invention is not functioning in the manner desired. Ifthere are no contractions of the skeletal muscles, the individual can“walk through”, or be trained to walk through, being hit with dartswhich conduct electricity through the individual's body.

[0029] If contractions of skeletal muscles are produced, but do notprevent voluntary use of the muscles by the individual subjected to thepulses, then the invention is not functioning as desired. Ifcontractions of the skeletal muscles do not prevent voluntary use of themuscles by the individual, the individual can “walk through”, or betrained to walk through, being hit with darts which conduct electricitythrough the individual's body.

[0030] In operation, in FIG. 2 trigger 34 is pressed to send a signal tomicroprocessor 32. Microprocessor 32 opens switch 12. Power 11 flowsthrough transformer 13, capacitor 15, and transformer 14 in the mannerdiscussed. The output from transformer 14 goes into wire 16 and dart 18.Once the current flow reaches dart 18, current from dart 18 is directedto motive power means 25 (i.e., black powder) to activate means 25 toproject the first and second darts through the air in the direction ofarrow A to the individual who is the target. When the darts contact theclothing of the individual near the individual's body or contact theindividual's body, pulses from dart 18 travel 22 into tissue 19 in theindividual's body, from the tissue 22 into 23 the second dart 20, fromthe second dart 20 into 24 the second connecting wire 21, and through 26the second connecting wire 21 to the ground 17 in the weapon. Pulses aredelivered from dart 18 into tissue 19 for about six to seven seconds.The pulses cause contraction of skeletal muscles and make the musclesinoperable, preventing use of the muscles in locomotion of theindividual's skeleton.

[0031]FIG. 3 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the invention inwhich weapon 30 includes at least two cartridges. The first cartridgeincludes a primary transformer 50, a capacitor 52, an output transformer54, a first conducting wire 56 connected to the transformer 54, and afirst dart 58 connected to the wire 56. A second conducting wire andsecond dart (not shown) are also included in the first cartridge, areoperatively associated with the first conducting wire 56 and dart 58,and are electrically connected to a ground in weapon 30. Both the firstand second darts are shot simultaneously, as are the darts described inconnection with FIG. 2. The first dart 58 delivers electrical pulses totissue in an individual's body. The second dart receives electricityfrom the tissue and returns the electricity to the weapon via the secondconducting wire. The first dart 58 is connected to motive power means inthe first cartridge in much the same manner that dart 18 is connected tomotive power means 25 in FIG. 2.

[0032] The second cartridge includes a primary transformer 51, acapacitor 53, an output transformer 55, a third conducting wireconnected to the transformer 55, and a third dart 59 connected to thewire 57. A fourth conducting wire and fourth dart (not shown) are alsoincluded in the second cartridge, are operatively associated with thethird conducting wire 57 and third dart 59, and are electricallyconnected to a ground in weapon 30. Both the third and fourth darts areshot simultaneously, as are the darts in FIG. 2. The third dart 58delivers electrical pulses to tissue in an individual's body. The fourthdart receives electricity from the tissue and returns the electricity tothe weapon via the fourth conducting wire. The third dart 59 isconnected to motive power means in the second cartridge in much the samemanner that dart 18 is connected to motive power means 25 in FIG. 2.

[0033] When trigger 34 is depressed the first time, microprocessor 32sends out a signal which causes switch 12 to route power to transformer50 such that the first dart 58 and second dart are fired simultaneouslyinto contact with a target individual's body and pulses are deliveredinto the target individual's body through dart 58. When trigger 34 isdepressed the second time, microprocessor 32 sends out a signal whichcauses switch 12 to route power to transformer 51 such that the thirddart 59 and fourth dart are fired simultaneously into contact with atarget individual's body and pulses are delivered into the targetindividual's body through dart 59. If desired, microprocessor 32 can beprogrammed such that switch 12 permits power 11 to flow simultaneouslyboth to transformer 50 and transformer 51 such that the first, second,third, and fourth darts are fired simultaneously. Consequently, theembodiment of the invention set forth in FIG. 3 enables both pairs ofdarts to be fired, either sequentially or simultaneously.

[0034] In another embodiment of the invention of FIG. 3, only one ofprimary transformers 50, 51 is utilized and switch 12 is positionedintermediate the primary transformer and capacitors 52, 53. In thisembodiment, microprocessor 32 (or any other desired mechanical or othermeans) controls switch 12 so that when trigger 34 is squeezed to fireweapon 30, power 11 flowing through the one transformer 50, 51 utilizedis directed by switch 12 (1) to capacitor 52 to fire the first 58 andsecond darts, (2) to capacitor 53 to fire the third 59 and fourth darts,or (3) simultaneously to capacitors 52 and 53 to fire the first 58,second, third 59, and fourth darts simultaneously.

[0035] In another embodiment of the invention of FIG. 3, only one ofprimary transformers 50, 51 is utilized and only one of capacitors 52,53 is utilized and switch 12 is positioned intermediate the capacitorand transformers 54, 55. In this embodiment, microprocessor 32 controlsswitch 12 so that when trigger 34 is squeezed to fire weapon 30, power11 flowing through the one transformer 50, 51 utilized and through theone capacitor 52, 54 utilized is directed by switch 12 (1) to outputtransformer 54 to fire the first 58 and second darts, (2) to outputtransformer 55 to fire the third 59 and fourth darts, or (3)simultaneously to transformers 54 and 55 to fire simultaneously thefirst 58, second, third 59, and fourth darts.

[0036] The particular advantage of the switching arrangement justdiscussed with respect to FIG. 3 is that the voltage being switched ismuch less than in the prior art dart weapons. In prior art dart weaponsonly a single output transformer 54, 55 is typically used and a switchis used to direct output from the single transformer either to the firstand second dart pair or the third and fourth dart pair. Attempting toroute 50,000 volts is difficult, and in some cases both dart pairs fireat the same time even though the 50,000 volts is routed to only one ofthe dart pairs.

Having described my invention in such terms as to enable those skilledin the art to understand and practice it, and having identified thepresently preferred embodiments thereof, I claim:
 1. Apparatus forpreventing locomotion by a living target by causing repeated involuntarycontractions of skeletal muscles of the target, said apparatus including(a) a housing; (b) first conducting means for transmitting electricalenergy in impulses from the conducting means to the target; (c) secondconducting means for transmitting electrical energy from the target tothe apparatus; (d) power supply means for generating energy andincluding (i) transformer means for delivering electrical energy inimpulses to said first conducting means, and (ii) capacitor means fordelivering energy in impulses from said capacitor means to saidtransformer means,  said capacitor means producing and delivering tosaid transformer means from 0.75 to ten joules in each of the impulsesfrom said capacitor means; (e) delivery means for contacting said targetwith at least a portion of each of said first and second conductingmeans such that impulses delivered from the first conducting means tothe target (i) travel through at least a portion of the skeletal musclesto said second conducting means, and (ii) produce contractions in saidportion of the skeletal muscles which prevents the use by the target ofsaid portion of the skeletal muscles.
 2. Apparatus for preventinglocomotion by a living target by causing repeated involuntarycontractions of skeletal muscles of the target, said apparatus including(a) a housing; (b) first conducting means for transmitting electricalenergy in impulses from the conducting means to the target; (c) secondconducting means for transmitting electrical energy from the target tothe apparatus; (d) power supply means for producing electrical pulseswhich, when passing through a 1000 ohm resistor, have a pulse widthgreater than about ten microseconds and a current in excess of onehundred milliamps; (e) delivery means for contacting said target with atleast a portion of each of said first and second conducting means suchthat impulses delivered from the first conducting means to the target(i) travel through at least a portion of the skeletal muscles to saidsecond conducting means, and (ii) produce contractions in said portionof the skeletal muscles which prevents the use by the target of saidportion of the skeletal muscles.
 3. A method for preventing locomotionby a living target by causing repeated involuntary contractions ofskeletal muscles of the target, said method including the steps of (a)providing apparatus including (i) a housing, (ii) first conducting meansfor, when activated, contacting the target and transmitting electricalenergy in impulses from the conducting means to the target, (iii) secondconducting means for, when activated, contacting the target andtransmitting electrical energy from the target to the apparatus, (iv)power supply means for, when activated, generating energy and includingtransformer means for delivering electrical energy in impulses to saidfirst conducting means, and capacitor means for delivering energy inimpulses from said capacitor means to said transformer means,  saidcapacitor means producing and delivering to said transformer means from0.75 to ten joules in each of the impulses from said capacitor means,(v) delivery means for, when activated, cohtacting said target with atleast a portion of each of said first and second conducting means suchthat impulses delivered from the first conducting means to the targettravel through at least a portion of the skeletal muscles to said secondconducting means, and produce contractions in said portion of theskeletal muscles which prevents the use by the target of said portion ofthe skeletal muscles, and (vi) activation means operable to activatesaid power supply means, said first conducting means, said secondconducting means, and said delivery means; (b) operating said activationmeans to (i) contact the target with the first contacting means and thesecond conducting means, and (ii) deliver from said capacitor means tosaid transformer means pulses each containing 0.75 to ten joules, and(iii) deliver from said transformer means to said first conducting meanselectrical energy in impulses.
 4. A method for preventing locomotion bya living target by causing repeated involuntary contractions of skeletalmuscles of the target, said method including the steps of (a) providingapparatus including (i) a housing, (ii) first conducting means for, whenactivated, contacting the target and transmitting electrical energy inimpulses from the conducting means to the target, (iii) secondconducting means for, when activated, contacting the target andtransmitting electrical energy from the target to the apparatus, (iv)power supply means for, when activated, generating energy and includingtransformer means for delivering electrical energy in impulses to saidfirst conducting means, and capacitor means for delivering energy inimpulses from said capacitor means to said transformer means,  saidcapacitor means producing and delivering to said transformer meansimpulses which, when passing through a 1000 ohm resistor, have a pulsewidth greater than about ten microseconds and a current in excess of onehundred milliamps, (v) delivery means for, when activated, contactingsaid target with at least a portion of each of said first and secondconducting means such that impulses delivered from the first conductingmeans to the target travel through at least a portion of the skeletalmuscles to said second conducting means, and produce contractions insaid portion of the skeletal muscles which prevents the use by thetarget of said portion of the skeletal muscles, and (vi) activationmeans operable to activate said power supply means, said firstconducting means, said second conducting means, and said delivery means;(b) operating said activation means to (i) contact the target with thefirst contacting means and the second conducting means, (ii) deliverfrom said capacitor means to said transformer means electrical impulses,and (iii) deliver from said transformer means to said first conductingmeans impulses which, when passing through a 1000 ohm resistor, have apulse width greater than about ten microseconds and a current in excessof one hundred milliamps.
 5. Apparatus for preventing locomotion by aliving target by causing repeated involuntary contractions of skeletalmuscles of the target, said apparatus including (a) a housing; (b) firstconducting means for transmitting electrical energy in impulses from theconducting means to the target; (c) second conducting means operativelyassociated with said first conducting means for transmitting electricalenergy from the target to the apparatus; (d) first transformer means fordelivering electrical energy in impulses to said first conducting means;(e) third conducting means for transmitting electrical energy inimpulses from the conducting means to the target; (f) fourth conductingmeans operatively associated with said third conducting means fortransmitting electrical energy from the target to the apparatus; (g)second transformer means for delivering electrical energy in impulses tosaid third conducting means; (h) power means for delivering electricalenergy to said first and second transformer means; and, (i) switch meansoperatively associated with said power means for delivering electricalenergy to both of said first transformer means and said secondtransformer means.
 6. Apparatus for preventing locomotion by a livingtarget by causing repeated involuntary contractions of skeletal musclesof the target, said apparatus including (a) a housing; (b) firstconducting means for transmitting electrical energy in impulses from theconducting means to the target; (c) second conducting means fortransmitting electrical energy from the target to the apparatus; (d)power supply means for generating energy and including (i) transformermeans for delivering electrical energy in impulses to said firstconducting means, and (ii) capacitor means for delivering energy inimpulses from said capacitor means to said transformer means; and, (e)memory means for storing data concerning the use of said apparatus. 7.Apparatus for preventing locomotion by a living target by causingrepeated involuntary contractions of skeletal muscles of the target,said apparatus including (a) a housing; (b) first conducting means fortransmitting electrical energy in impulses from the conducting means tothe target; (c) second conducting means for transmitting electricalenergy from the target to the apparatus; (d) at least one light sourcemounted on said apparatus for sighting the apparatus on the target; (e)power supply means for generating energy and (i) including transformermeans for delivering electrical energy in impulses to said firstconducting means, (ii) including capacitor means for delivering energyin impulses from said capacitor means to said transformer means, and(iii) providing power for said light source.